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Feline Compulsive Disorders - Overview (view source)
Revision as of 07:53, 31 August 2014
, 07:53, 31 August 2014→Treatment/Intervention
==Breed Predisposition==
==Breed Predisposition==
There is some anecdotal evidence of breed predisposition in the incidence of compulsive disorder, with Burmese, Siamese and other purebred oriental cats show higher rates of [[Feline Pica|wool-sucking]] and [[Feline Grooming Disorders|self-mutilation]]. This may reflect a genetic component to the disorder, but it must also be remembered that these cats are often reared and housed differently from non-pedigree cats. Concerns over disease transmission mean that they are often reared in a ‘non-domestic’ situation, such as a cattery. This limits the exposure these animals have to social interaction and common domestic stimuli and events, which would seem to predispose them to a range of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear and anxiety problems]]. As adults, their financial value means that they are less likely to have outdoor access, which places even greater pressure on the cat if the indoor environment is unsuitable for them. There also appears to be a higher prevalence of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|urine marking]], [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|inter-cat aggression]] and [[Feline Attachment Problems|attachment disorders]] in these breeds, which suggests that they may experience more stress from living in domestic environment that they typically experience. Whilst these cats may have some genetic predisposition towards a range of problems, their rearing and husbandry is probably a significant factor.
There is some anecdotal evidence of breed predisposition in the incidence of compulsive disorder, with Burmese, Siamese and other purebred oriental cats show higher rates of [[Feline Pica|wool-sucking]] and [[Feline Grooming Disorders|self-mutilation]]. This may reflect a genetic component to the disorder, but it must also be remembered that these cats are often reared and housed differently from non-pedigree cats. Concerns over disease transmission mean that they are often reared in a ‘non-domestic’ situation, such as a cattery. This limits the exposure these animals have to social interaction and common domestic stimuli and events, which would seem to predispose them to a range of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear and anxiety problems]]. As adults, their financial value means that they are less likely to have outdoor access, which places even greater pressure on the cat if the indoor environment is unsuitable for them. There also appears to be a higher prevalence of [[Indoor Marking - Cat|urine marking]], [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|inter-cat aggression]] and [[Feline Attachment Problems|attachment disorders]] in these breeds, which suggests that they may experience more stress from living in domestic environment that they typically experience. Whilst these cats may have some genetic predisposition towards a range of problems, their rearing and husbandry is probably a significant factor.
==Investigation==
A full history should be taken, including:
*Information about the origin, rearing environment and experience of the cat
*Age at onset
*Progression of signs
*Contexts and situations in which the behaviour occurs
*Stimuli and events that trigger bouts of the behaviour
*Detailed characterisation of the behaviour (including video)
*Other emotional or behavioural problems (including identifying situations in which the cat shows signs of anxiety, fear or stress)
*The methods the owner has tried to resolve the problem
*The cat's living conditions (physical and social environment)
Differentials should include CNS lesions, epilepsy, specific conditions that could cause the same pattern of behaviour (e.g. specific causes of polyphagia, polydipsia or over grooming), and conditions that alter mental function (e.g. thyroid dysfunction or cognitive dysfunction)
==Treatment/Intervention==
==Treatment/Intervention==